I promised a good resource for hatching your own chicks and here it is! I've compiled three tips for hatching and raising chicks for folks who've never done it before, or for those who might want a refresher.​

Tip #1: Get a Good IncubatorWe have an Incuview Incubator and we love it. Be sure to read the instructions on your incubator and get really familiar with it. The egg hatching process that requires some precise temperatures and moisture settings, and the better you follow the instructions, the better your hatch rate will be.

Tip #2: Be PreparedWhen you get close to hatch time, before you stop turning your eggs, be sure to gather the supplies you will need for your hatchlings. A heat lamp, a box or container of some sort that can handle the heat lamp, a feeder, a water dispenser, bedding, feed, etc. Whatever your favorite book about raising chicks says you need, getting it together beforehand prevents running around trying to find a feed store that is open after 5 p.m. where you can get the necessary supplies!

If you don't happen to be prepared, here's one bit of knowledge that may help put your mind at ease. Chicks can live up to 3 days in the incubator. The yolk which was absorbed by the chick just before hatching will provide sustenance for up to 48 hours. There's really no need for a crazy run about.

Tip #3: Learn About HatchingWhether you are hatching ducks, geese, chickens or some other form of poultry, learning about the process can really make the experience memorable. Here are some links you may want to visit if you want to learn more about hatching your own eggs: